NEW simple appearance mod!
Thread Starter
Admin Emeritus
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 11,157
From: Nashville, TN area
NEW simple appearance mod!
Hey everyone!
Remember the Two Buck Trick?
Here's another...
I got this idea from a similar but more expensive product out there that didn't quite fit my needs. Since most of us use the keyless remote to unlock our cars, we hardly ever use our actual door key to unlock the doors. So, the outside door lock pretty much gets unused. Why not dress it up a little bit and make it not look so out of place?
So, the SmoothLock(tm) was born.
After doing some extensive research to find the highest quality materials without compromise, I managed to get a small amount produced. They are made of incredibly high strength PVC material that will dent and rebound instead of scratching. I took the tip of my car key and skewered it into one and it just smoothed back out again leaving no trace of any damage. They are not bulletproof or anything, but are very tough and should hold up to any daily abuse. They are also highly UV resistant to avoid turning yellow after use in direct sunlight. They are are crystal clear with a dark background and looks great as-is but can can be easily primed and painted to match your car color exactly.
They adhere to your door locks using a strong adhesive backing. Just peel them off and place them on your car. If you ever need to use your door locks (if you lose your keyless remote, the battery dies, etc.), just carefully peel them back off again. To reapply, simply stick them back on with a bit of automotive trim adhesive if necessary.
Obviously this isn't something that doesn't drasticaly change your car looks, but it is a simple modification that smoothes things out just enough to enhance the overall image of your car. See for yourself here:
http://phantomss.com/smoothlock
I have them on my car and I love the slightly smoother look. In order to have mine made, I had to order a bunch so I am selling my extras in pairs for $10 shipped to anywhere in the US. Live in Canada/outside of the US? E-mail me. These were made for 4th gen f-bodies but may fit other years/vehicles as well, check fitment before ordering.
E-mail me with any questions!
Remember the Two Buck Trick?
Here's another...I got this idea from a similar but more expensive product out there that didn't quite fit my needs. Since most of us use the keyless remote to unlock our cars, we hardly ever use our actual door key to unlock the doors. So, the outside door lock pretty much gets unused. Why not dress it up a little bit and make it not look so out of place?
So, the SmoothLock(tm) was born.
After doing some extensive research to find the highest quality materials without compromise, I managed to get a small amount produced. They are made of incredibly high strength PVC material that will dent and rebound instead of scratching. I took the tip of my car key and skewered it into one and it just smoothed back out again leaving no trace of any damage. They are not bulletproof or anything, but are very tough and should hold up to any daily abuse. They are also highly UV resistant to avoid turning yellow after use in direct sunlight. They are are crystal clear with a dark background and looks great as-is but can can be easily primed and painted to match your car color exactly.
They adhere to your door locks using a strong adhesive backing. Just peel them off and place them on your car. If you ever need to use your door locks (if you lose your keyless remote, the battery dies, etc.), just carefully peel them back off again. To reapply, simply stick them back on with a bit of automotive trim adhesive if necessary.
Obviously this isn't something that doesn't drasticaly change your car looks, but it is a simple modification that smoothes things out just enough to enhance the overall image of your car. See for yourself here:
http://phantomss.com/smoothlock
I have them on my car and I love the slightly smoother look. In order to have mine made, I had to order a bunch so I am selling my extras in pairs for $10 shipped to anywhere in the US. Live in Canada/outside of the US? E-mail me. These were made for 4th gen f-bodies but may fit other years/vehicles as well, check fitment before ordering.
E-mail me with any questions!
Thread Starter
Admin Emeritus
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 11,157
From: Nashville, TN area
Originally posted by 94B&RZ-28
Will they also fit the lock for the trunk?
Will they also fit the lock for the trunk?
In the future, I will have ones for the trunk made.
Thread Starter
Admin Emeritus
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 11,157
From: Nashville, TN area
I had actually been sitting on this idea for a few years...just not quite the same way.
Back in 1998, I attempted to use touch-up paint on the back of my 1996 SS to paint the silver "door" on the trunk lid lock. Yeah...the little vertical sliver of metal that keeps crap from getting into the lock mechanism to add to a smoother look. Not much, not much at all but something I wanted to try. it didn't work out so well as think I had old paint and it was sort of thick and gummy but didn't look too bad regardless.
I sold that car to Brent Franker last August. I'll bet if he goes out and looks at the car, he will see the rear lock is painted black.
So anway...I always wanted to make the door locks smooth as well. Recently, I saw the ones that were being sold on LS1tech. The difference is, mine are plain while the others have pretty cool logos on them. There may be other differences as well but I didn't really want to pay extra for the logos I didn't want or would just cover up, so I did some research and had some plain ones made up and went from there.
I even gave it a cool name.
http://www.smoothlock.com
Back in 1998, I attempted to use touch-up paint on the back of my 1996 SS to paint the silver "door" on the trunk lid lock. Yeah...the little vertical sliver of metal that keeps crap from getting into the lock mechanism to add to a smoother look. Not much, not much at all but something I wanted to try. it didn't work out so well as think I had old paint and it was sort of thick and gummy but didn't look too bad regardless.
I sold that car to Brent Franker last August. I'll bet if he goes out and looks at the car, he will see the rear lock is painted black.
So anway...I always wanted to make the door locks smooth as well. Recently, I saw the ones that were being sold on LS1tech. The difference is, mine are plain while the others have pretty cool logos on them. There may be other differences as well but I didn't really want to pay extra for the logos I didn't want or would just cover up, so I did some research and had some plain ones made up and went from there.
I even gave it a cool name.
http://www.smoothlock.com
Thread Starter
Admin Emeritus
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 11,157
From: Nashville, TN area
Originally posted by silver97Z
Looks really good Jason, but can they be painted to match the car? Mine's not black so I'd be much happier with a set of silver covers...
Looks really good Jason, but can they be painted to match the car? Mine's not black so I'd be much happier with a set of silver covers...
Originally posted by JasonD
They are are crystal clear with a dark background and looks great as-is but can can be easily primed and painted to match your car color exactly.
They are are crystal clear with a dark background and looks great as-is but can can be easily primed and painted to match your car color exactly.
although my door handles are still black 
Registered User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 505
From: Barboursville, WV
Re: NEW simple appearance mod!
Originally posted by JasonD
They are are crystal clear with a dark background and looks great as-is but can can be easily primed and painted to match your car color exactly.
They are are crystal clear with a dark background and looks great as-is but can can be easily primed and painted to match your car color exactly.
Thanks!
brian
Thread Starter
Admin Emeritus
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 11,157
From: Nashville, TN area
Re: Re: NEW simple appearance mod!
Originally posted by silver97Z
Sorry Jason, I must've missed that the first time...maybe it was the beer
Sorry Jason, I must've missed that the first time...maybe it was the beer
Super Moderator
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 4,060
From: Inverness, FL
Very nice, Jason!
I might just have to get me some of these for my car as well
Oh, guys, this thread has already been reported to me as having advertising in it. I appreciate the help! However, in this special case, this guy is the boss and has his name on the FRONT of the site so therefore he doesn't need to have a banner ad here or his name in the Vendor Index in order to create threads which advertise a product!
I might just have to get me some of these for my car as well
Oh, guys, this thread has already been reported to me as having advertising in it. I appreciate the help! However, in this special case, this guy is the boss and has his name on the FRONT of the site so therefore he doesn't need to have a banner ad here or his name in the Vendor Index in order to create threads which advertise a product!